Hump Day || Bump Day - 37 Weeks

Let's be real for a minute here.

37 weeks (&4 days) has arrived and I think it's safe to say as of this week, I am officially over it. Stick a fork in me. I'm done.

I have had a really enjoyable pregnancy so I am definitely not taking any of the first 36 weeks for granted, but my body hurts. My pelvis, pubic bone and back are killing me. My body is exhausted, mentally and physically. Weird things are happening all around. I don't feel like myself at all. And I'm just ready to meet this baby girl and figure out what life will be like with a little one. I'm ready to see Beau be a daddy. I'm ready to see my mom be a grandmother for the very first time. I'm just ready for her to be here.

Paisley and I have had several real serious pep talks in the past 24 hours and she is welcome to join this world any day now.

A few things I don't want to forget about this week:

• As of my appointment on Monday, I am 4 centimeters dilated, 50% effaced and baby girl is at a -2 position. Like last week, while this could all mean something, it could also mean nothing at all. Aye aye aye!
• All of this to be said, the doctor didn't really say "when" she thinks D-day will be, but she did say "Babies are born all the time at 37 weeks..."
• Thanks to lasagna, cupcakes and red velvet pancakes over the weekend, I refused to look at the scale at my appointment this week but I think it's somewhere around 27 pounds.
• I vacuumed all the blinds in the house this week. Who. Am. I?
• The carseat is officially installed! I repeat, there's a carseat in my backseat and it's a super weird thing to see back there!
• Thank the good Lord I do not have any stretch marks as of today. I've recently heard they can come in full force after delivery so I'll still be slathering on the Burt's Bee's Mama Bee for a few more weeks for sure!
• Labor signs: random contractions here and there but nothing painful or timeable, slight period-like cramping, and I may or may not be slowly losing my plug. (TMI? Sorry...but it's part of the process.) Not 100% sure about the plug part (Google can only help a girl out so much) but it's a possibility.
• That being said...a trip to L&D may or may not have happened yesterday. Without getting into too many details, everything is fine. Baby girl is fine. And I am not in labor.
• Watermelon is still my BFF. I cut one up on Saturday and it was completely demolished by yesterday morning. Note to self: Pick up watermelon after work. OH...and I canNOT stop eating crushed ice. GIMME ALL THE ICE!!! Nom nom nom!
• My roots in this week's bump photo are horrendous. Thank you. I know. My appointment is scheduled for this Friday should I not pop by then.

So here we are. We wait.
(Insert Jeopardy theme song here.)

I could deliver tomorrow. I could deliver in 3 weeks. 

Yesterday when I was in L&D, it was a very sobering feeling. A feeling of "Oh my GOD is this it?", to "Holy crap I'm not ready!" to "Could we possibly be meeting our Paisley girl today?!" back to "No no no, I can't do this today. Not today." When I say every emotion ran through my mind yesterday, I mean every emotion and then some.

I'm completely terrified and excited all at the same time. Terrified of birth, excited about welcoming this precious blessing into our lives. Terrified of not knowing when all this is going to happen, but excited about being a parent with Beau. Terrified of complications, but excited to know that all of the anticipation over the past 9 months could be here any day now.

That's all for today. Only 3 more bump dates left MAX...bear with me people. ;)

In My Hospital Bag

Because I've received a ton of requests from readers and preglet friends, I thought I'd put together what I have packed in my hospital bag. Err-bags...

As you can see, I'm no light packer. And I'm not a minimalist. At all. My biggest fear EVER is forgetting something really important, for example a memory card for my camera...because that is totally something I would forget. (Oh my gosh I don't even want to imagine!)

While I'd like to pack the entire house and kitchen sink in a the biggest suitcase I own, I've somehow managed to squeeze all of this into my diaper bag and on additional bag. Ok and my purse, too. (Who am I kidding?) So technically this should be titled "What to pack in your hospital bagS" because honestly, I don't know who could go into the hospital to have a baby with one bag and there's no way all of this would fit into one bag.

(P.S.-I have updated the lists below to reflect all the advice that has been given to me via comments since writing this post!)

For mom:

• Insurance information
• Hospital registration/pre-natal records
• Electronics & chargers (iPhone, iPad, etc...)
• Chap stick
• Nursing pillow (I'm using my Boppy as mine)
• Toiletries (makeup, shampoo, conditioner, razor, soap, face wash, etc...)
• Camera, charger & extra memory cards
• Snacks
• Blow dryer, flat iron, curling iron, etc (Call me vain...whatever.)
• Notebook
• Maxi pads (unless you want to wear the hospital-provided variety)
• Nursing cover
• Nursing pads
• Nipple cream
• Nursing bra (I found some awesome ones here.)
• Headband, hair band, bobby pins, etc...whatever makes you comfy
• Panties (ones that can get a little messy/be thrown away afterwards) Yes, I know these are provided by the hospitals and the hospital undies are supposed to be legit, but I can't imagine going anywhere for a couple of days and not packing my own panties so you can bet I will still be packing my own - 3-4 pair
• Nursing dresses - 2-3 dresses
• Socks - 2-3 pair
• Loose-fitting or button up pj's 
• Flip flops

For baby:

• Swaddling blankets (I packed two; one for Paisley, one for someone to bring home to Oakley to get familiar with baby's smell)
• Outfits - 2-3
• Socks - 1-2 pair
• Hat/headbands

For daddy: (not pictured)

• Pillow
• 2-3 outfits
• Blanket
• Toiletries
• Snacks

Misc: (not pictured)

• Car seat (properly installed if you plan on bringing that baby home)  ;)
• Gifts for nursing staff
• Snacks for visitors
• Guest book
• Baby book
• Cash (for parking)
• Prenatal vitamins
• Birth announcement for the hospital room door 
• Extension cord (for iPhone/iPad chargers to reach across the room)
• Empty bag to take home all the loot you leave with from the hospital

I'm not sure when the right time to pack your bags would be but I figured about a month out is safe. Plus, I have everything I need so it might as well be ready and waiting, right?! Right.

I sure do hope this is helpful to someone out there wondering what on earth to pack for the hospital! While I did a ton of research as to what to pack (thanks, Pinterest!) I definitely have NO clue as to whether or not I'm forgetting something seeing that I'm a labor rookie. If you think of ANYTHING I've forgotten, please PLEASE let a sister know! I'm not ashamed to add another bag to my arsenal. ;)

Hump Day || Bump Day - 36 Weeks

Well, people. I made it. 9 months! 9 whole months, which means only one more to go! Whoever said pregnancy was only 9 months was full of it! I'm glad I prepared myself by learning a few years ago that's it's actually 10 months...otherwise I'd be driving myself absolutely insane right about now thinking I was past my due date!

So what's going on with this baby bump?

• I started having weekly appointments now, which is absolutely absurd to me. First they were a month apart, then two weeks and now every week!
• We had our final ultrasound this Monday and baby girl is still doing great! We got to see her little heart flutter and watched her suck on her bottom lip, which is quite possibly the cutest thing ever! The doctor said she's measuring just a little bit small but she's already 5 lbs. 12 oz. which absolutely BLOWS MY MIND! They say she should gain about half a pound a week from here on out so the the longer she stays in, the meatier she will be! ;) 
• That being said, though she's measuring a little small...I'm already 2 cm dilated! I know that can mean a lot, or it can mean nothing at all so I'm just taking it day by day! Do I feel any different? Nope! My doctor was actually surprised to see that I had already started making progress seeing that Paisley is "a little small" so I'll take it!
• Also blowing my mind...the next time we see our baby girl she won't be black and white dots on an ultrasound screen...she will be a real life, breathing, pink baby girl in our arms and I absolutely cannot WAIT!! 
• Perhaps I'm oblivious to the world but last week I started taking Epsom salt baths for my bone pain and dang it does that stuff work! I definitely knew it was working, but I guess I didn't realize how well it was working because I ran out yesterday and am totally feeling it today. WHO KNEW?? For ANYONE having pain, whether it's pregnancy-related or not, I highly HIGHLY recommend an Epsom salt bath! 
• I know I said this last week but mine and P's bag is packed! 100% ready to go, with the exception of the stuff I'll need to toss in the day of. The reason I'm saying this again is because tomorrow I'll be posting a "What's in my hospital bag?" type post. I know they're all over the interwebs, but I've received a ton of requests from preglet friends and readers so I hope someone finds it useful!
• My face is really getting round. And so is my butt. I feel like I've definitely "widened" over the past week or so. What a joy! ;)
• Total weight gain so far is right around 27 lbs. and I'm okay with this. I know I'll lose it after the baby comes so until then, I'm trying not to beat myself up over it. After all, I'm pregnant. I'm not going to get ANY skinnier between now and delivery so I'm going to enjoy every single bite and calorie up until then!
• My only fear/anxiety right now is not knowing when any of this is going down. I don't consider myself to be a crazy, type-A planner person, but I mean, bringing a child into this world IS a big deal and it would kind of be nice to have a general idea as to when it's going to happen. Unfortunately, something tells me Paisley will be like "someone I know" and will have a mind of her own when it comes to making her big debut! According to my doctor, at this point, we just wait to see when she wants to come or if I get to 39 weeks and I'm just "done", she said we'll have a different conversation at that point. ;) 
• Someone at work the other day told me "You're waddling! And it's so cute!" Scuse? The last time I checked waddling was only cute on ducks and penguins, which I am not. Thanks?

Overall, I feel good. I feel really good. Some days I'm a little more uncomfortable than others but I know it's just a part of this whole beautiful process and will one day be a distant memory! I am reminded daily of just how incredible the human body is and I just feel incredibly blessed to be able to house a human being in my belly for as long as I have!

And that's all I got for today! I'm off to waddle myself around the office today! ;) Happy hump day party people!

Showered With Love (Round 2)

Last weekend, my sister-in-law and nine of our closet friends and family member threw us, quite possibly, the most adorable baby shower to ever exist in the land of baby showers. My first shower was all of my closest girlfriends, so the guests at this shower was all family and long-time family friends.

The food was excellent. The cake was perfection. The decor was nothing short of amazing. And the guests were so loving and supportive of our sweet baby girl!

The shower theme was the perfect combination of Texas mixed with paislies, mixed with pink & green (Delta Zeta) and lets just say these ladies did not leave out a single detail! The minute I walked in I became instantly obsessed with every single little piece of decor! You'll see why! :)

Needless to say, (and obviously stated from the above photo), Paisley is one incredibly lucky and loved baby girl already!! We got so many essential items we've been needing and left feeling nothing short of blessed!

I'd be lying if I said I got home and didn't automatically start organizing everything! ;) Nesting at its finest, people.

Essential Oil Takeover (+ A Legit Giveaway!)

Whoop whoop! Thursday! We've made it!!

Today I have a special treat for you all! As you all know (or should know) I am a HUGE advocate of natural wellness. When I started experiencing pregnancy headaches in my second trimester, I knew I had to do something to help them go away and I knew I didn't want Tylenol to be my go-to treatment. It was then that I turned to essential oils and literally, a headache that lasted for 3 days, went away within 10 minutes of my first peppermint oil application. I was instantly amazed (and felt so silly for never knowing about it!) that I started sharing it with all of my other pregnant friends, too. It wasn't long after that when I became HOOKED on researching all types of ailments that essential oils are good for. Let's just say the list goes on and on and I am so glad these oils are a huge part of my health regimen!

Ok...so this is where I stop blabbing and let a professional take over. One of my very best friends since high school, Brooke, is here to talk all things essential oils today. Brookie...take it away!

- - - 

Hi! I’m Brooke! Wife to a handsome husband and mama to a precious 2 ½ year old boy and a bun in the oven.

We live in Texas, where we’re happily raising our young family. When I’m not juggling a toddler on my hip, you can usually find me holding one of three things; a remote to watch trashy reality TV, a good book, or a bottle of essential oil!

As soon as I became pregnant with #2, the morning sickness kicked in full force. I was taking the prescription medicine prescribed by my doctor but also experiencing all of the nasty side effects. That is when I started researching Essential Oils and the benefits. I started by using Peppermint Oil and when I tell you it works, I’m not kidding. My morning sickness subsided and I was feeling better. I couldn’t believe that a simple and natural oil was all it took. I was so impressed and intrigued that I ordered the Premium Starter Kit so that I could give the other oils a try. They are simply amazing, seriously! After researching and using some of the different oils I knew that I wanted to make a lifestyle change so I could raise my children in a healthier, more product-conscious state.

Chances are if you have spent any time on social media lately, you have come across essential oils! While there are many brands available, the oils I am referring to below are Young Living. I trust them with my family because of their stringent Seed to Seal process that guarantees the purity and potency of every oil.

I believe that everyone has the choice in how they care for themselves and their family. No questions asked! But here is something to consider; ‘If you don’t know your choices, you don’t have any.’ WOW! When I heard that, it really hit me.

If all you know how to do is bring down a fever with acetaminophen, well, of course you’re going to reach for acetaminophen! But what if you also knew that Peppermint oil works quickly within bodies (adults and children) to bring down a fever? And at the same time it works with the body to block the transmission of pain signals while reducing inflammation? While acetaminophen carries risks of adverse side effects, Peppermint oil does not. Knowing this, maybe now you might feel empowered to start with an all-natural trick!

I encourage you to explore one of God’s gifts to us, essential oils, and see if they could be a good choice for you and your family, too!

Let me dive into three of my very favorite oils and show you just some of the many ways they can be used.

Sleep. Rub a few drops into your hand and spread over your pillow for a good night's rest.
Eczema. 3 drops lavender oil mixed with carrier oil, like coconut oil, is an effective rub for those tricky eczema patches.
Allergies. Swipe 1 drop on the side of your cheek for quick relief.
Scratches. Dab a drop on minor cuts and scrapes. With a rambunctious 2 year old, this stays with me at all times!

Cold & Flu Season. This blend has been shown to not only kill bacteria and prevent infections, but it has also been used to sanitize homes and kill mold. Diffusing it within your home can kill airborne pathogens; so you can bet this will be our favorite oil for a long, long time.
Sore/Strep Throat. In a small spray bottle, put a couple drops of thieves in with distilled water and spray as needed in the back of your throat. You can also put 2-4 drops in a glass of water and salt and gargle as needed.
Headache. Place drop on thumb and apply to roof of mouth for headache relief.
Cold Sores & Fever Blisters. 1 Drop on cold sore or blister 3 times a day or as needed until it’s gone.

Calms anxiety. Inhale from the bottle, rub a drop into your hands and breathe in, and apply over heart.
Uplifting. Diffuse or rub on wrists to bring that mood up and lower stress.
Mood Swings. Apply to ear lobe or the back of the neck for a stabilizing effect.

The most amazing and important thing about beginning your oil journey, is who you begin it with. I am part of a terrific team, The Pretty Oil, and we’d love for you to join us! We’re an ever-growing community who are using the oils to better our lives, with some amazing results.

Beginning your oil journey on our team is as easy as purchasing a starter kit. I recommend the Premium Starter Kit. For $150 you get 11 oils, including the three mentioned above, and a home diffuser. The first three people to join our team will also receive the Essential Oils Pocket Reference Guide – a must-have when learning about oils. We love empowering people with oil information and we will love you well!

After you purchase your starter kit, you will be invited into our private Facebook group where we ask questions, share oil tips & success stories, and grow amazing friendships!

Interested in oils, but want to learn more? Nicole, co-founder of The Pretty Oil, is hosting a free, private webinar just for us on August 12th, from 7:00 – 8:30 PM to walk through the everyday essential oils collection. Click here to register! Don’t worry, if you can’t attend, the recording will be emailed to you the next day to watch at your convenience.

Follow us on Instagram at @theprettyoil
Like our public Facebook page: The Pretty Oil
Any oily questions? Email me at brookeb5270@aol.com

Disclaimer- We are not doctors, we just love using essential oils. Any information or advice given on this site is meant to help educate and inform, not diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Statements made on this website about Young Living oils have not been evaluated by the FDA. You should always check with your health care professional before starting something new. 

And finally, for those of you still here, not only do you win an award but this is your chance to WIN a full size 15 ml bottle of lavender oil. One lucky oil-loving person will win! (Giveaway ends Thursday 8/14, winner will be contacted Friday 8/15!) a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hump Day || Bump Day - 35 Weeks

Dress found here.

Hey friends! Happy Hump Day Bump Day!! I'm so glad to be here, at the 35-week mark, that is...because I'll be real honest...I'm finally starting to understand what they mean by the last couple of months being "uncomfortable". I LAUGH at the word uncomfortable because that's putting it lightly...

Ok so it's not that bad...yet...but I can definitely see why women get so anxious towards the end of pregnancy...

A few notes I want to remember from this week (AKA: a mini novel because I couldn't stop typing):

• Baby girl is the size of a pineapple! Considering I've been demolishing an entire pineapple every week, the fact that I'm growing a human being inside of me that's the size of the ones I've been cutting up blows my mind. The human body amazes me! 
• Speaking of food, while I haven't had any "cravings" in a while, I 'm definitely still on the watermelon train. Ice cold cut up watermelon...gah. I can't get enough of it!
• Paisley girl LOVES stretching out across my abdomen, fully extending her legs and pushing her feet against my right side. It's the craziest thing to see a little foot poke out and to be perfectly honest, it hurts! She also enjoys storing herself under my rib cage which is not an awesome feeling either. Alas, I still love the movement because it lets me knows she's doing alright in there so I say bring on the kicks and the long overstayed welcome in my ribs. You've only got 5 more weeks MAX to torture my insides so I'll take it! ;)
• Though I feel good overall, my body hurts. Like aches...and in places I never knew existed. While it's bearable, it's definitely not enjoyable, and I know I'll probably never feel completely "normal" again, I will be glad when the shooting pains in my pelvis are no longer a daily concern. 
• No one ever told me my bones would hurt. And they do. 
• I officially have an outtie and it's weird! The more I eat or the harder I laugh, the more it sticks out. (See above photo.) See it?!
• My veins are out. of. control! Thankfully, they aren't of the varicose variety, just regular ol' veins, but because you produce so much extra blood and I guess because they're closer to the surface of your skin, you see veins you never knew existed! My stomach, sides and boobs look like road maps! It's almost as weird as the outtie.
• Next Monday afternoon is my final, I REPEAT...my FINAL ultrasound, and is also when I'll start going in weekly to be checked for progress. Holy mother of guacamole.
• This past weekend I had my family shower and it was seriously the best! There really is nothing better than friends and family surrounding you showering your little girl with so much love! The food and decor was nothing short of perfection and the cake...oh my goodness gracious THE CAKE was fab!! (Pics to come soon!) Not to mention, this little girl of ours is so loved and spoiled already because we came home with an entire truck full of baby swag. And when I say an entire truck, I mean we had stuff piled to the brim and only had room for Beau and I in the cab and still had stuff in our laps. We came home feeling very grateful for everyone's love and support!
• My work shower is tomorrow and I am SO excited about it!! I work with such a fun group of girls, err-women, who have pretty much guided me through this entire pregnancy so I'm excited to spend time with them outside of working hours! :)
• Also to be noted, my hospital bag is packed. And so is Paisley's. Well, we're sharing a bag so I guess I should say "our" bag is packed. I'm still waiting for dad to pack his (ahem...hint hint...if you're reading this). I've also picked up quite a few snacks to keep in the hospital room for visitors (aka: Beau). Shizz is getting real. And REAL quick!
• Sleep is still good so no complaints there. Though it takes an act of congress for me to get in and out of bed to make my normal trips to the bathroom, the sleep in between is awesome. (Thank you God!)
• I cannot stop thinking about meeting this baby girl of ours! I just want to know what she looks like, if she has any hair, what her little personality will be like, if she'll have brown or blue eyes, what her little fingers and toes will look like and whether or not she'll have chubby cheeks. Ah! So much to think about! I just keep envisioning Beau and I seeing her for the very first time and it literally makes my heart swell up like a big ol' balloon!

My dress in this week's picture is probably one of my favorite dresses I've ever owned to date...and even more so because it's NOT maternity! I'm really trying to not buy any more maternity clothes so when I found this gem I knew I had to snag her up immediately!

I got SO many compliments on it at my shower and I just felt good wearing it! (It takes a LOT for a pregnant girl to "feel good" in anything at almost 9 months pregnant!) Plus, it's uber long which means it not only suited the belly, but I was able to wear wedges with it!

Dress found here in navy and coral.

This time next week, we'll know if I've made any progress in the dilation and effacement departments. Whoa. Just WHOA.

Because It's Monday...

And because though I may be a tiny bit bias (ya think?), I firmly believe every Monday morning should be celebrated with uber adorable pictures of none other than my dog. Duh.

Also see: I'm really soaking up these last few weeks of giving her my undivided attention as much as possible.

Sweet treats from Oakley's German Shepherd friend, Lilly. Seriously? I die.

Because the coffee table is obviously the most comfortable sleeping option here... 

If the words "Poor thing" come to mind when you see this, don't worry. I completely agree with you. Until Paisley is here, she's been submitted to be my baby bow/headband/clothes/hooded towel guinea pig. And the only reason she submits to my idiotic decisions to do so is because she knows that treats always follow...

I can't make this one up. Sister laid down next to me and instantly put her hand up on my belly. Naturally, I had to snap 13 photos.

Our newest Saturday & Sunday morning rituals. I sit in the glider thinking of all things baby, while she stalks any person, dog, cat, bird, bug or leaf that passes by that front window.

 ...because this is what I really want to be doing right now.

OK enough of my dog. 

Back to Monday... #ick